My Forum

Cheetah – loving the Mexican wave, thank you. You’re putting us all to shame with the amount of running you are doing. Well done on your 10:02m/m. I would be very happy with a timing like that and you’ve certainly put all the hard work in. I have this idea that I will get out on a Sunday morning, especially a lovely sunny day like today, but it never happens following Saturday night drinks!

Snails – sounds like you had a good run. Are you doing the Bridge to 10K schedule?

Minty – good to hear you’ve been out and getting back into it. A goal like a 5K does sound a good idea to help keep you motivated.

Norfolklass – Hope the knees are behaving and you are having pain free runs.

Ma’amy – keep up the walking. Hopefully we’ve got some nice long warm days to look forward to which always make a walk more enjoyable.

Well, I’ve had a bit of a setback this week and not done any running. I got a very nasty insect bite on my face which caused a bad infection and made it swell like a balloon. A trip to A&E and a load of medication has thankfully sorted it out but I didn’t feel good for a few days and only just got back to looking ‘normal’ again. In the meantime, I’ve been looking for a new plan to start and still undecided so may just make my own up and keep adding a few minutes on each week until I can run 5K and then probably start the Bridge to 10k schedule.

Just a quick one from me today. I attempted my second week of run 15 x 2 but with a minute walking this time but after about 10 minutes in, I talked myself into ditching the minute walk and just go for the full 30 minutes non stop and I did it I didn't think it was worth stopping for one minute and I felt fine the whole way - well apart from the hilly bit right at the end. I changed my route as well and I think that helped. Mileage wise wasn't too good though - only about 2.6 miles but I did it and that's the main thing for now. It was probably one of my best 'runs' in terms of feeling good which is odd as I had taken a 3 day rest break and thought I would be really sluggish but I think the long break actually did me good. Just to prove it wasn't a fluke, I had to repeat it a couple of days later and this time it was harder work and mileage even less . Not sure what my next plan is now - really sad the schedule has ended but obviously pleased I've gone from 1 minute run to 30 mins in 9 weeks.

My right knee is a bit niggly and I hope I'm not joining the ignored knee brigade on here!

Snails – Sounds like you are progressing well with your runs. Loving the sound of your forest park, especially having ducks to feed and all the different trails you can choose. I’m definitely going to venture out when I can manage a decent run. At the moment I’m going round the same block and its getting a bit boring but in a funny way its become a bit of a comfort zone as its away from main roads and I don’t feel too self-conscious. Like you, I love it when the days get longer - normally - but its going to be a problem for me running wise as I don’t feel confident enough to expose myself in the daylight especially with all the young, fit slim runners about!

Iain - Glad you got your mojo back and you had a good run with the club.

Cheetah – Hope you had a lovely week off work and got some good runs in. Its good to be able to choose what time and how long you go out for when you don’t have the restriction of work getting in the way of leisure!

MintyB – Have you managed to get out in the morning for a run. That’s an early time to get up and out but good to get it done early and have the rest of the day to do other things.

Norfolklass – Glad its not just me that remembers the Krypton Factor! Hope you managed to have some runs without any pain in your knees. It must be really frustrating when you just want to get on and train. Have you had them checked out by the doctor or physio? What have you been advised to do?

Ma’amy – In my eyes being able to swim for 50 minutes is fantastic. With your walking and swimming, you must be feeling you are getting fitter.

DFM – welcome and well done on completing your first week. Its great to know the reps go down as the minutes go up. I didn’t sweat either when I started the schedule but funnily enough, I have sweated on my last few runs. I like to think of it as my fat melting away like a snowman – just wishful thinking really!

RoadRunner – Hope all goes well with your physio.

I attempted the 15m x 2 but with longer walk breaks gradually reducing to 2 mins. I probably could have pushed myself more as when I finished day one, I didn’t really feel it was much of a challenge compared with the others, probably after doing the 12 x 3 last week. I’m going to repeat it next week but with the minute break and hope that will make it easier to complete the 30 minute run the week after. I tried an extra run one night aiming for 20 mins nonstop but when a very chavy looking lad and his vicious looking dog stepped in front of me I just carried on to get away from him so ended up doing 23.5!

Snails - I can relate to the feeling of not wanting to go out but when you do, you feel so pleased you made the effort. Sounds lovely having a forest park to run around; nothing like that for me within walking distance although there is a deer park about 30 mins drive away so may venture out to that when the weather gets better.

Iain - Must be frustrating with your knee problem. Made me laugh about the soap/mens shower room!. Did you manage to get some exercise at the Parkrun?

Cheetah - Massive congratulations on the forest run. It reminded me of the type of assault courses they used to have on the Krypton Factor (showing my age here). Sounds like it was a good atmosphere though considering all that gruelling activity. Hope your washer coped with all the muddy clothes!

MintyB - Nice to see you back posting as I have read your thread from the beginning and wondered whether you were still running. You've done well to fit in all your 5K runs when you have two small children to look after. Do you have any goals for this year?

Norfolklass - Have you been keeping up with knee exercises and using the roller?

Ma'amy - Hope the walking is going well. Have you managed to get out this week?

Well, I completed 10 mins x 3 last week and the last one felt slightly easier. This week has been the dreaded 12 mins x 3 and for most of it I found a real struggle. First attempt I only managed 12/12/4 and with longer walk breaks. Second attempt slightly better managing 12/12/8 and shorter walk breaks. I knew I wasn't going to make the last 12 so "told myself" I had to double the previous effort so reset app for 8 mins and had to run until the flippin beep went. Yesterday was the final one and I really wasn't in the mood so just had to get myself ready and get out, thinking anything is better than nothing. The first few minutes were dire and I was so tempted to stop and walk but knew I would be disappointed if I gave up so quickly so just plodded on - literally. Second rep was easier as I had warmed up by then. When it came to the third, I "told myself" (again!), if I didn't complete it, then I would have to do it again next week and that thought was so awful I just had to get it over and done with. I can't tell you how pleased I was when the 12 min beep went. Really pleased I made the effort though even though I had very sore feet and was hobbling a bit on the way home.

Next week is 15 x 2 and again I'm going to extend the walk time initially and then work on getting that down, even if it takes a few weeks to achieve it.

I was going to get out in garden as it was lovely and sunny when I started writing this but its clouded over a bit now so may do some seed sowing instead. Already got some cucumbers and tomatoes started.